One?"
Studying the scene before her through narrowed eyes, she replied, “That is the Dark Sorcery's legion. A thousand or more of the long-prior dead."
The Healer screamed her thoughts silently, A legion of the long-prior dead?
The High Queen stood staring at the sight far in front of them, knowing that whoever created this huge enemy force did so at great cost to their own sorcery powers, as this had taken much effort.
Much effort, indeed. But most skilled effort.
She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, summoning her great powers to her as she waited Ann'wn's arrival. She knew that as she defeated this enemy, she would have one, but only one chance to discover the master of this sorcery.
Who is this? I must find who created this sorcery.
The Healer looked at her Queen, ever awed in her presence. Who wouldn't follow this woman? A thousand or more enemy approach, and yet she displays only assuredness. Who else could do as such?
The High Queen stood slightly taller than The Healer, and their stance in The Realm was as opposites. The High Queen held herself in an ever regal fashion, always fully formal in appearance, while The Healer knew herself to care more for her potions and spells than her own appearance. She admired how The High Queen looked in even this most alone of moments, but saddened that such a burden was placed onto this most extraordinary woman. The Healer looked out at the hundreds and hundreds of torch fires in the distance, wondering who controlled what her Queen had called the Dark Sorcery, never prior having heard of such.
There she stands, defiant, even if only to the lightly whispering wind. No enemy affects her stance. How is such an assured manner as this possible?
Feeling useless in the enormous magnitude of the situation, The Healer watched in amazement, wondering how her Queen appeared so calm in the face of such outstandingly overwhelming odds. She wondered what her Queen would conjure up to defeat this enemy, guessing that such would occur. As The Healer waited for Ann'wn and the others, and as she stared off at the distant yet approaching fires, she recalled her just-prior moments with Ann'wn, realizing that her Queen had interrupted them just as she was about to give Ann'wn her answer. She shivered at the thought, recalling Ann'wn's kisses and embraces. She was intent on her memories of the moment, but the movement of the lights then captured her attention. The sun's rise was yet far from emerging, so guessed that their battle was to be in the early morn, just prior to the sun's rise. She wondered if they would live to see the new turn, watching as the enemy thundered ever closer.
The Healer stood by her Queen throughout the late-eve, watching the lights slowly but steadily race toward them.
After many long moments, The High Queen's forces finally arrived, Ann'wn leaping from her horse and running to The High Queen. As Ann'wn came near, without any acknowledgement of having heard her, The High Queen held out her hand for her sword. Ann'wn placed its hilt in her hand, noticing that its red stones were now glowing and emitting small red sparks. It was as if The High Queen felt the nearness of her sword. Ann'wn had never prior seen it do as such, but saw that The High Queen's sword was actually trembling as it came nearer to The High Queen.
The High Queen spoke, but her voice was unlike ever prior, Ann'wn thinking it sounded as if it were from well outside their realm, “Bring Sam'r'in'thel'ineln’ to Me. Give her the Warrior Woman's sword, and stand well away from Me. Use no weapons unless it is commanded, but remain prepared."
Ann'wn finally turned toward the yet unseen enemy, her eyes widening at the size of the enemy's force.
Her eyes wide in shock, she looked back at her Queen, but kept her thoughts to herself, How can we possibly halt such a force as this ? On the tip of her tongue was another question to The High Queen, Use no Weapons ? but she also held that thought in.
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